Someone needs to make a game like StreetComplete using openstreetmaps data and Airbnb data, gameify taking down illegal airbnbs
this post was submitted on 11 Jul 2024
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Housing Bubble 2: Return of the Ugly
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I'd play it. It would be a heck of a lot more satisfying than simply finishing a level
This particular issue would probably be best addressed by requiring Airbnb to require proof that people listing on their platform are legally allowed to do so. Making them liable for enforcement would probably be quite impactful.
Alternatively you could fight to get Airbnb banned, but that's probably a bigger lift.
It's hard to prove something's not illegal for a person
What Airbnb should be able to do as a multibillion dollar company is be able to research laws, or receive reports or them, and block out relevant addresses.
My only question would be how do you know if they are illegal or not?
zoning map, also street view it and see if it is in a low income neighborhood.
You can call your local city council or what not and ask if a property has the permit. That's what I do and who I report them to as well.
Is VRBO the same thing?
Often, yes. Some places list on both sites.
How is an AirBnB illegal?
A lot of cities/municipalities started limiting the number of Airbnbs in their jurisdictions, or in some cases banning them altogether as a way to fight rising housing costs.
Residential =/= short term rental
AirBnB and equivalents are usually a better deal for landlords. The property is vacant a majority of the time, meaning less maintenance or chance of damage. The rates are significantly higher, a booked weekend or two can exceed a month's rent. You/your management company deal with customers significantly less than renters, it's usually just collecting money and asking for a review.
But this means there's now less housing available in the city, and not in places where it's expected to be. Which other than the very obvious "thing meant for housing is now a hotel", screws up a ton of public funding/planning because there's not people living there, it's just the occasional vacationer.
Like anything, if there was only one or two people doing it it would just be annoying. But it's being done on an industrial scale. So cities are banning it unless the property owners get explicit permission, which they may deny.
I had a friend who had a mother in law unit they wanted to rent out occasionally, used air b&b, the county learned of it, I'm not sure how exactly it went down, if they had to pay the fines or just agree to shut it down (fines were "required upgrades and penalties"over hundred thousand dollars, because their septic system wasn't large enough for the extra people, they were only 3 at the time) but they ended up selling the place, and the whole things is now a long term rental.
It bummed me out because I hate air b&b and applaud legislation that inhibits people abuse of it, but I feel it does have uses when the system isn't abused. We can't have nice things because llc's are soulless.